2/Wilts, Givenchy, 15-16th June 1915

[Old Forge]

The 7th Division attacked the German positions east of Givenchy in mid-June, 1915. It was their third major assault in four months, having previously attacked at Neuve Chappell and Festubert. The Givenchy operation included a Canadian assault on the 'Dorchest' strongpoint to 7th Division's right, and 51st Highland Division attacking on their left. 7th Division attacked with 21st Brigade at 6pm on the 15th June, with 2/Yorks right and 2/Wilts left. 2/Wilts attacked with C and D Companies up, B in support and A in reserve. The attackers were mostly shot down within a few yards of their own front line, and only a handful made it to within 50 yards of the German trenches, having crawled forward through long summer grass.

The 7th Division WD includes a letter from the GOC, Major General Gough, giving IV Corps a quick read out of the difficulties faced. It includes a comment that 'the attack by the Wiltshires left something to be desired.' The letter suggests that a fuller account will follow, but there's no sign of it in the WD. 21st Brigade's WD records that 'Lt Col Brown and Captains Makin and Ponsford sent away from 2/Wilts.' The 7th Divisional History (p. 193) says that 'Majors Leatham and Forsyth of the Yorkshires [were] transferred to the Wiltshires as CO and Adjutant.' 2/Wilts were then sent to GHQ for a month's training. Captain Makin commanded the Battalion at both Neuve Chappelle and Festubert, with Captain Ponsonby as Adjutant. Lt Col WS Brown joined the Battalion on 1st April 1915, went into hospital with measles later in the month and thence to UK on sick leave, only returning on 1st June 1915. He was subsequently killed in action on 5th July 1916 and is buried in Blighty Valley Cemetery, Authuille Wood.

Although nothing is said in either the Div, Bde or 2/Wilts War Diaries about the CO being sacked, it appears from the above that this was likely the case. Does anyone have any evidence that might cast more light on this sad episode?

All the best,

Richard

 

[brianmorris547]

The WD of 7 Div A&QMG (WO 95/1636) for 15/07/1915 records that 1 Corps notifies that 2 Wilts will return to 21 IB on 19/07. They will come by bus. I could not see anything else. There are Routine Orders at the end of the WD but no Admin instructions. From the papers in the WD 7 Division were part of 4 Corps in June 1915. 

Have you tried the WDs of 1 Corps and 4 Corps A&QMG. (1 Corps WO 95/598 and 4 Corps WO 95/721).

Brian

 

[Old Forge]

Thanks @brianmorris547, I’ve had a look at the A&QMG for IV Corps, but nothing related to this comes up. This incident would presumably have been a command issue, involving Brigadier Watts (21 Bde) and GOC 7 Div. Lt Col Brown seems to have gone on to command a New Army battalion. But it does seem that the leadership of 2/Wilts was singled out for a shake up immediately after the Givenchy debacle.   It smacks of scapegoating, but without the details it’s hard to know.

All the best,

Richard